diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5356b998b..ab3fbca9e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -198,6 +198,23 @@ The source code lives in `/root/code/cinny`. All changes should be made on the `
 
 See [LOTUS_FEATURES.md](LOTUS_FEATURES.md) for the full feature changelog and [LOTUS_TODO.md](LOTUS_TODO.md) for the work backlog.
 
+### Local Development
+
+Lotus Chat is a **pure client — there is no backend of its own to run.** It talks directly to a Matrix homeserver (Synapse) over HTTPS, so the only thing you run locally is the Vite dev server; it connects to a real homeserver for all data. If you were looking for "the backend to pair with it," there isn't one — that's the homeserver.
+
+**Prerequisites:** Node 20+ (CI builds on Node 24) and npm.
+
+```bash
+npm ci        # deps; @lotusguild/* come from our Gitea npm registry (public read — no auth/token needed)
+npm start     # Vite dev server → http://localhost:8080
+```
+
+The dev server defaults to **port 8080** (`vite.config.js`); if 8080 is already in use it falls through to 8081+, so check the "Local:" URL Vite prints on startup. If it boots but the page renders blank, it's almost always a failed module/asset resolution, not a "missing backend" — open the devtools console and read the first error.
+
+**Which homeserver / logging in:** `config.json` sets `defaultHomeserver: 0` → `matrix.lotusguild.org`, so you sign in with your normal `@you:matrix.lotusguild.org` account. That homeserver is **live production** — anything you send is real, so keep test traffic to a DM with yourself or a throwaway room. To develop fully isolated instead, point `config.json` at a throwaway `matrix.org` account (already in `homeserverList`) or a local Synapse.
+
+- **SSO / OIDC works from localhost.** Login goes through Authelia via OIDC dynamic registration; the provider redirects back to `http://localhost:8080/…` and the client registers that redirect on the fly, so no server-side allow-listing is needed. After the callback you may see a `GET …/_matrix/media/v1/thumbnail/… 404` — that's just a missing avatar thumbnail, **not** a login failure.
+
 ### 🔱 Element Call fork ("Lotus Call") — LIVE
 
 Voice/video channels embed **Element Call**, which is now our **self-built fork**
diff --git a/src/app/features/settings/about/About.tsx b/src/app/features/settings/about/About.tsx
index 246f871a3..3c5fdf357 100644
--- a/src/app/features/settings/about/About.tsx
+++ b/src/app/features/settings/about/About.tsx
@@ -4,12 +4,12 @@ import { Page, PageContent, PageHeader } from '../../../components/page';
 import { SequenceCard } from '../../../components/sequence-card';
 import { SequenceCardStyle } from '../styles.css';
 import { SettingTile } from '../../../components/setting-tile';
+import { getOriginBaseUrl, withOriginBaseUrl } from '../../../pages/pathUtils';
 import pkg from '../../../../../package.json';
 import { clearCacheAndReload } from '../../../../client/initMatrix';
 import { useMatrixClient } from '../../../hooks/useMatrixClient';
-import { getOriginBaseUrl, withOriginBaseUrl } from '../../../pages/pathUtils';
 
-const LotusLogo = withOriginBaseUrl(getOriginBaseUrl(), '/Lotus.png');
+const LotusLogo = withOriginBaseUrl(getOriginBaseUrl(), '/public/res/Lotus.png');
 
 type MSC1929Contact = {
   matrix_id?: string;
diff --git a/src/app/pages/auth/AuthLayout.tsx b/src/app/pages/auth/AuthLayout.tsx
index b57f82984..a448f75b4 100644
--- a/src/app/pages/auth/AuthLayout.tsx
+++ b/src/app/pages/auth/AuthLayout.tsx
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import {
 } from '../../hooks/useClientConfig';
 import { AsyncStatus, useAsyncCallback } from '../../hooks/useAsyncCallback';
 import { LOGIN_PATH, REGISTER_PATH, RESET_PASSWORD_PATH } from '../paths';
+import { getOriginBaseUrl, withOriginBaseUrl } from '../pathUtils';
 import { ServerPicker } from './ServerPicker';
 import { AutoDiscoveryAction, autoDiscovery } from '../../cs-api';
 import { SpecVersionsLoader } from '../../components/SpecVersionsLoader';
@@ -29,9 +30,8 @@ import { AuthFlowsLoader } from '../../components/AuthFlowsLoader';
 import { AuthFlowsProvider } from '../../hooks/useAuthFlows';
 import { AuthServerProvider } from '../../hooks/useAuthServer';
 import { tryDecodeURIComponent } from '../../utils/dom';
-import { getOriginBaseUrl, withOriginBaseUrl } from '../pathUtils';
 
-const LotusLogo = withOriginBaseUrl(getOriginBaseUrl(), '/Lotus.png');
+const LotusLogo = withOriginBaseUrl(getOriginBaseUrl(), '/public/res/Lotus.png');
 
 const currentAuthPath = (pathname: string): string => {
   if (matchPath(LOGIN_PATH, pathname)) {
diff --git a/src/app/pages/auth/oidc/oidcConfig.ts b/src/app/pages/auth/oidc/oidcConfig.ts
index 69733eb16..0e4ff4e4e 100644
--- a/src/app/pages/auth/oidc/oidcConfig.ts
+++ b/src/app/pages/auth/oidc/oidcConfig.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import type { OidcRegistrationClientMetadata } from 'matrix-js-sdk';
 import { OIDC_CALLBACK_PATH } from '../../paths';
 import { getOriginBaseUrl, withOriginBaseUrl } from '../../pathUtils';
 
-const LotusLogo = withOriginBaseUrl(getOriginBaseUrl(), '/Lotus.png');
+const LotusLogo = withOriginBaseUrl(getOriginBaseUrl(), '/public/res/Lotus.png');
 
 /**
  * Absolute URL the OIDC provider redirects back to after authorization.
diff --git a/src/app/pages/client/ClientNonUIFeatures.tsx b/src/app/pages/client/ClientNonUIFeatures.tsx
index e6863f3d5..30300b8a9 100644
--- a/src/app/pages/client/ClientNonUIFeatures.tsx
+++ b/src/app/pages/client/ClientNonUIFeatures.tsx
@@ -76,6 +76,10 @@ const LogoHighlightSVG = withOriginBaseUrl(getOriginBaseUrl(), '/lotus-highlight
 
 // Grace period after the initial sync settles before invite notifications arm, so
 // the async invite-atom population lands first and isn't mistaken for new invites.
+const LogoSVG = withOriginBaseUrl(getOriginBaseUrl(), '/public/res/lotus.png');
+const LogoUnreadSVG = withOriginBaseUrl(getOriginBaseUrl(), '/public/res/lotus-unread.png');
+const LogoHighlightSVG = withOriginBaseUrl(getOriginBaseUrl(), '/public/res/lotus-highlight.png');
+
 const INVITE_NOTIFY_ARM_DELAY_MS = 3000;
 
 function SystemEmojiFeature() {
diff --git a/src/app/pages/client/WelcomePage.tsx b/src/app/pages/client/WelcomePage.tsx
index 20dfe3b4c..f1498f9cb 100644
--- a/src/app/pages/client/WelcomePage.tsx
+++ b/src/app/pages/client/WelcomePage.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 import React from 'react';
 import { Box, Button, Icon, Icons, Text, config, toRem } from 'folds';
 import { Page, PageHero, PageHeroSection } from '../../components/page';
-import pkg from '../../../../package.json';
 import { getOriginBaseUrl, withOriginBaseUrl } from '../pathUtils';
+import pkg from '../../../../package.json';
 
-const LotusLogo = withOriginBaseUrl(getOriginBaseUrl(), '/Lotus.png');
+const LotusLogo = withOriginBaseUrl(getOriginBaseUrl(), '/public/res/Lotus.png');
 
 export function WelcomePage() {
   return (